history

Text Box: Brief Gypsy Horse History The Gypsy horse is a beautiful breed with a colorful history. Gypsy horses came into their present form about three hundred years ago in the UK and Ireland. The Gypsy people of Europe had a demand for a horse strong enough to pull their beautifully decorated wagons known as vardos (or vans) loaded with all their worldly possessions, with enough endurance to travel all day long. That Gypsy horse needed to be able to thrive on whatever it could graze upon along side of the road, and have a calm temperament as not to hurt the children playing around the horses. Created after hundreds of years of selective breeding by the nomadic Gypsy people, the Gypsy horses of today is a cross of the Shire, Clydesdale, Dales Pony and Friesian breeds. But it has only been in the last twenty years or so that Gypsy horses were introduced into the USA and officially recognized as a breed of it’s own. The only difference between a Vanner and a Cob is their size. Cobs range in sizes between 13.1 hh and 14.1 hh and Vanners between 14.2hh and 16.2hh. Gypsy Vanners are larger in stature and usually have heavier bones, to enable them to be big enough to pull the Gypsy Vardos. They are very versatile animals, they are currently all used for English and Western riding in a number of disciplines such as dressage, driving, endurance, and reining. They can now be found in horse shows all over the world. Vanners are primarily used is as a draft animal, careful and selective breeding created sturdy, thick-legged horses with short backs, small heads, and large hind quarters. Gypsy Cobs are also Gypsy horses, but generally smaller than Vanners, and are usually used for carts and riding. They are all known for their sweet, loving nature, and make wonderful pleasure horse as well as great childs mount. There are many instances where a Gypsy horse has placed itself between a child and danger. I have personally witnessed my own Gypsy horses stop and refuse to move if a child was mounted and in danger of falling off, after adjusting the saddle or child’s position, the horse would then resume it’s ride. Typically all Gypsy horses are a little smaller than a conventional draft horse and stands between 13 and 16.2 hands high and weighing up to 1400 pounds. There is no standard color for Gypsy Horses, although black and white coloring and pinto pattern are the dominant traits, and therefore are the most common. All markings and patterns are accepted, silver, pearl, and cream dilutions are prized. Heavily feathered legs (the heavy, thick hair starts at the knee and falls to cover the hoof) and a long thick double mane and tails are other prized traits. Someone pointed out that a proper Gypsy horse has the head of a princess and the back end of a cook. The Gypsy horse is considered to be a cold-blooded horse, (it’s body temperature is lower and has a slower metabolism), giving it a very docile temperament and tremendous stamina. The Gypsy horse is known by many names, including Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob, Irish Cob, Coulored Cob, Romany Horse, and Tinker Horse. Whatever the name is, it is hard not to fall in love with this sweet, exquisite, and magnificent breed.

Text Box: Forest Knights Gypsy Horses

Text Box: Gypsy Horses History